At Minas Basin and Other Poems — Beauty

"Had I two loaves of bread--ay, ay!

One would I sell and hyacinths buy To feed my soul."

--"Or let me die!"

Beauty, dew-sweet, of heavenly birth, Thy flower is writ of grief, not mirth, Thy rainbow's footed on the earth.

Rainbows and hyacinths!

O seers, Your voices call across the years: "The bread of Beauty's wet with tears!

II.

The living words from Beauty's mien, Than blade by swordsman swung more keen, Spirit and soul divide between: "Pure as the sapphire-blue from blame, Humble as glad, of holiest aim-- Love's seven-fold beam a flashing flame!"

III.

It yearns me sore, so near, so far!

My heart moans like the harbor-bar, For coming of the morning star.

Buy hyacinths--a goodly share!

Ascend, O soul, love's iris-stair, The bridegroom waiteth for thee there!

THE DRAGONFLY.